Irish-bred Mubtaahij ready for US debut in Kentucky Derby (The Associated Press)

In terms of international flavor, Mubtaahij and the Kentucky Derby seem made for each other. Intrigue abounds about Mubtaahij (pronounced Moob-tah-heej), the Irish-born son of Dubawi owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and trained by South African Mike de Kock. Not just because he is all things international – he’ll race beneath Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon – but Churchill Downs will be Mubtaahij’s debut on American soil. If that’s not enough, in addition to being the horse’s longest distance so far, the 1 1/4-mile Derby also features the most competitors (19) he’ll face.